'Preserve country's largest ancient city'

The archaeological site at the ancient city of Bhitargarh in Panchagarh Sadar upazila assumed a festive look as Bhitargarh Day was observed for the first time yesterday.

Bhitargarh Promotional Society in cooperation with the Department of Archaeology organised the event to create awareness about promotion, protection and preservation of the heritage site covering the ancient fortified city, the country's largest one of the kind.

Procession, discussion, and photography exhibition marked the day while a two-day fair was held with playing of Satya Pirer Gaan (a form of local drama), game with sticks, snake charming, pitha (indigenous cake) festival.

Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor MP inaugurated the event as chief guest.

The speakers there urged the government to take immediate steps to protect the ancient site.

A photography exhibition arranged on the occasion attracts a good number of visitors. Photo: Star

A team of General Education Department of University of Liberal Arts headed by Dr Shahnaz Husne Jahan, professor of general education department of the university, started an archaeological excavation in Bhitargarh in 2009, Dr Shahnaz said at the programme.

"The excavation brought to light some interesting features of post Gupta period structures at Bhitargarh. The team also found a cruciform temple of post Gupta period along with other artefacts like copper and iron made objects and a black stone statue of goddess Manasa. 

"Recently found brick built structures belong to a temple of 7th century AD. Our findings show that the 25-square-kilometre city was part of Kamrup state. The city was protected by four fortified walls and surrounded by moat. The city planners had developed engineering and technological knowledge.

"The people constructed three stone embankments on the Shalmara and Talma Rivers in the city to irrigate crop lands.

"The city people maintained good business relations with Mohasthangarh city as well as different places in India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and some other South Asian countries through rivers," said Dr Shahnaz.

Secretary of the Cultural Affairs Ministry Akhtari Mamtaz attended as special guest at the programme presided over by Suhel A Choudhury, president of Bhitargarh Promotional Society, also a former secretary.

Meanwhile, several concrete structures are being built inside the fort area near Maharajadhighi, ignoring a High Court order.

"I have already issued order to stop the construction. Five sites of the fort have been declared protected while the proposal has been sent to declare 15 other sites as protected ones," said Nahid Sultana, regional director of the Department of Archaeology.